A sorority at Missouri State University has changed its bylaws to accept transgender students who “identify as a girl.”

The Xi Omicron Iota sorority previously required members to “be a girl.”

Sorority President Danielle Marquard said the bylaw change was suggested by member Kara Venzian and was enthusiastically embraced by the rest of the local Greek chapter.

“Transgender equality is a hot topic right now and it’s something everyone is paying attention to,” said Marquard, a senior in marketing. “We have a lot of open and welcoming women in the chapter.”

The change took effect immediately after a vote on Aug. 30 and was made public this week, just days ahead of the sorority’s fall recruitment push — which begins Sunday. There are currently 75 active members.

None of the sorority leaders contacted by the News-Leader knew of any transgender student attempting to pledge Xi Omicron Iota in the past, and the sorority does not yet have a transgender member.

However, Marquard said the bylaw change is “effective immediately,” so students who might be interested are welcome to participate in meet-and-greet events this month.

Liz Lersch, vice president of the sorority, said after news of the change broke this week, a transgender woman reached out to say, “Thank you.”

“She said she wished she had something like that,” Lersch said. “When I read that, it just touched my heart.”

Lersch, a junior in exercise and movement science, said the sorority has a history of welcoming diverse students, including foreign students studying at the university.

“We just want to be as inclusive as possible to all women on the Missouri State campus,” she said.

The Xi Omicron Iota sorority was officially recognized by the MSU Student Government Association in early 2002. It is a local chapter, unique to the university, and is not affiliated with a national organization.

The sorority does not have central housing, although many of the members live together in off-campus housing. Any member is allowed to propose bylaw changes.

Venzian, a junior in political science, said she believes society is becoming more accepting and transgender students and fraternities and sororities “should be at the forefront.”

“When I proposed it to the chapter, there was no one against it,” she said. “It passed with flying colors.”

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